Polar Ice Accumulation from Volcanically Induced Transient Atmospheres on the Moon

Water ice exists at the lunar poles, but its origin, abundance, and distribution are not well understood. One potential source of water to the poles is the volcanic outgassing of volatiles from the lunar interior and subsequent condensation of erupted water vapor as surface ice. We investigate whether volcanic outgassing is a viable source for the accumulation of lunar polar water ice. We construct a model that accounts for volcanic outgassing, atmospheric escape to space, and surface ice accumulation over the period of peak lunar volcanic activity (4&ndash;2 Ga) and map the resulting water ice distribution and abundance using current surface temperature data from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. Our model suggests that &sim;41% of the total H2O mass erupted over this period could have condensed as ice in the polar regions, with thicknesses up to several hundreds of meters. The south pole accumulates roughly twice the ice mass of the north, and the southern deposits are thicker. Typical modeled eruptions generate collisional atmospheres with lifetimes of &sim;2500 yr. However, these atmospheres are episodic and generally do not persist between eruptions. Roughly 15% of an atmosphere's water vapor mass forms a frost on the lunar nightside, while the transient atmosphere persists. Our work suggests that the volcanically active period of the early Moon would have been punctuated by short-lived, collisional atmospheres that enabled the efficient sequestration of large quantities (8.2 &times; 1015 kg) of water ice at the poles and the temporary diurnal availability of water ice and vapor at all latitudes. &nbsp;</p

Harnessing Modern Web Application Technology to Create Intuitive and Efficient Data Visualization and Sharing Tools

Neuroscientists increasingly need to work with big data in order to derive meaningful results in their field. Collecting, organizing and analyzing this data can be a major hurdle on the road to scientific discovery. This hurdle can be lowered using the same technologies that are currently revolutionizing the way that cultural and social media sites represent and share information with their users. Web application technologies and standards such as RESTful webservices, HTML5 and high-performance in-browser JavaScript engines are being utilized to vastly improve the way that the world accesses and shares information. The neuroscience community can also benefit tremendously from these technologies. We present here a web application that allows users to explore and request the complex datasets that need to be shared among the neuroimaging community. The COINS (Collaborative Informatics and Neuroimaging Suite) Data Exchange uses web application technologies to facilitate data sharing in three phases: Exploration, Request/Communication, and Download. This paper will focus on the first phase, and how intuitive exploration of large and complex datasets is achieved using a framework that centers around asynchronous client-server communication (AJAX) and also exposes a powerful API that can be utilized by other applications to explore available data. First opened to the neuroscience community in August 2012, the Data Exchange has already provided researchers with over 2500 GB of data

Possible Atmospheric Water Vapor Contribution from Martian Swiss Cheese Terrain

Mars's south polar residual cap (SPRC) is a several-meters-thick CO2 ice cap with a variety of features, including quasi-circular depressions known as "Swiss cheese" that may expose underlying water ice. Swiss cheese pits have been suggested as a source for the observation of unusually high water vapor during the southern summer of Mars Year (MY) 8 (1969). To evaluate this hypothesis, we map the current extent of Swiss cheese pits to estimate the contribution to atmospheric water vapor from sublimation from the pits. We use data from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Context Camera to map individual features and use the Mars Climate Sounder to obtain surface temperatures to estimate areas of exposed water ice to infer the amount of water vapor sublimated under typical south polar summer atmospheric conditions. We find that there is a negligible impact on atmospheric water vapor from sublimation with the current coverage and temperatures of Swiss cheese terrain (0.2% of the SPRC at an average of &sim;161 K). At current typical temperatures, complete removal of residual CO2 from 99% of the SPRC would be required to sublimate enough water vapor to reproduce the MY 8 observation. However, a modest increase in temperature (&sim;20 K) could lead to a dramatic increase in sublimation rate, such that only water ice over 2.6% of the SPRC area would recreate the MY 8 observation. &gt;180 K surface water ice has been observed on Mars, but such temperatures are likely transient at the south pole over the past &sim;30 Mars years. &nbsp;</p

The Putative Cerean Exosphere

The ice-rich crust of dwarf planet 1 Ceres is the source of a tenuous water exosphere, and the behavior of thisputative exosphere is investigated with model calculations. Outgassing water molecules seasonally condensearound the winter pole in an optically thin layer

Spatial Distribution and Thermal Diversity of Surface Volatile Cold Traps at the Lunar Poles

The polar regions of the Moon host some of the most extreme low temperatures in the inner solar system due to its low obliquity, lack of atmosphere, and topographic relief. Some of these regions are already confirmed to host water ice. Proposed sources of water and other volatiles include lunar volcanic outgassing, solar wind, and comet impacts. Each of these possible sources would carry a potentially identifiable compositional signature beyond water. Determining the dominant sources of lunar volatiles, therefore, requires assessing the long-term thermal stability of an array of compounds. We present results of mapping the surface thermal stability locations of multiple key volatiles, including water, from the Diviner Lunar Radiometer data from 60&deg; to 90&deg; latitude in both hemispheres. We find the annual maximum temperature for each pixel of interest in the map (&sim;300 m) to determine which volatiles of interest would be stable there. We report on the thermal stability area of each volatile, as well as the geologic context in some cases. We find that while the thermal stability area for volatiles is larger in the south pole generally, both the north pole and south pole host areas where potential tracer volatiles from lunar volcanism, solar wind, and cometary impacts would be thermally stable for billions of years if such volatiles were ever delivered. We find several areas equatorward of &sim;80&deg; on the lunar nearside that could host water ice, where future missions could potentially access volatile deposits in order to place constraints on water delivery to the Moon. &nbsp;</p

The Holy Grail: A road map for unlocking the climate record stored within Mars' polar layered deposits

In its polar layered deposits (PLD), Mars possesses a record of its recent climate, analogous to terrestrial ice sheets containing climate records on Earth. Each PLD is greater than 2 ​km thick and contains thousands of layers, each containing information on the climatic and atmospheric state during its deposition, creating a climate archive. With detailed measurements of layer composition, it may be possible to extract age, accumulation rates, atmospheric conditions, and surface activity at the time of deposition, among other important parameters; gaining the information would allow us to “read” the climate record. Because Mars has fewer complicating factors than Earth (e.g. oceans, biology, and human-modified climate), the planet offers a unique opportunity to study the history of a terrestrial planet’s climate, which in turn can teach us about our own planet and the thousands of terrestrial exoplanets waiting to be discovered. During a two-part workshop, the Keck Institute for Space Studies (KISS) hosted 38 Mars scientists and engineers who focused on determining the measurements needed to extract the climate record contained in the PLD. The group converged on four fundamental questions that must be answered with the goal of interpreting the climate record and finding its history based on the climate drivers. The group then proposed numerous measurements in order to answer these questions and detailed a sequence of missions and architecture to complete the measurements. In all, several missions are required, including an orbiter that can characterize the present climate and volatile reservoirs; a static reconnaissance lander capable of characterizing near surface atmospheric processes, annual accumulation, surface properties, and layer formation mechanism in the upper 50 ​cm of the PLD; a network of SmallSat landers focused on meteorology for ground truth of the low-altitude orbiter data; and finally, a second landed platform to access ~500 ​m of layers to measure layer variability through time. This mission architecture, with two landers, would meet the science goals and is designed to save costs compared to a single very capable landed mission. The rationale for this plan is presented below. In this paper we discuss numerous aspects, including our motivation, background of polar science, the climate science that drives polar layer formation, modeling of the atmosphere and climate to create hypotheses for what the layers mean, and terrestrial analogs to climatological studies. Finally, we present a list of measurements and missions required to answer the four major questions and read the climate record. 1. What are present and past fluxes of volatiles, dust, and other materials into and out of the polar regions? 2. How do orbital forcing and exchange with other reservoirs affect those fluxes? 3. What chemical and physical processes form and modify layers? 4. What is the timespan, completeness, and temporal resolution of the climate history recorded in the PLD

Randomized controlled trials in pediatric complementary and alternative medicine: Where can they be found?

BACKGROUND: The safety and effectiveness of CAM interventions are of great relevance to pediatric health care providers. The objective of this study is to identify sources of reported randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in the field of pediatric complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). METHODS: Reports of RCTs were identified by searching Medline and 12 additional bibliographic databases and by reviewing the reference lists of previously identified pediatric CAM systematic reviews. RESULTS: We identified 908 reports of RCTs that included children under 18 and investigated a CAM therapy. Since 1965, there has been a steady growth in the number of these trials that are being published. The four journals that published the most reported RCTs are The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Pediatrics, Journal of Pediatrics, and Lancet. Medline, CAB Health, and Embase were the best database sources for identifying these studies; they indexed 93.2%, 58.4% and 42.2 % respectively of the journals publishing reports of pediatric CAM RCTs. CONCLUSIONS: Those working or interested in the field of pediatric CAM should routinely search Medline, CAB Health and Embase for literature in the field. The four core journals identified above should be included in their collection

Toward optimal implementation of cancer prevention and control programs in public health: A study protocol on mis-implementation

Abstract Background Much of the cancer burden in the USA is preventable, through application of existing knowledge. State-level funders and public health practitioners are in ideal positions to affect programs and policies related to cancer control. Mis-implementation refers to ending effective programs and policies prematurely or continuing ineffective ones. Greater attention to mis-implementation should lead to use of effective interventions and more efficient expenditure of resources, which in the long term, will lead to more positive cancer outcomes. Methods This is a three-phase study that takes a comprehensive approach, leading to the elucidation of tactics for addressing mis-implementation. Phase 1: We assess the extent to which mis-implementation is occurring among state cancer control programs in public health. This initial phase will involve a survey of 800 practitioners representing all states. The programs represented will span the full continuum of cancer control, from primary prevention to survivorship. Phase 2: Using data from phase 1 to identify organizations in which mis-implementation is particularly high or low, the team will conduct eight comparative case studies to get a richer understanding of mis-implementation and to understand contextual differences. These case studies will highlight lessons learned about mis-implementation and identify hypothesized drivers. Phase 3: Agent-based modeling will be used to identify dynamic interactions between individual capacity, organizational capacity, use of evidence, funding, and external factors driving mis-implementation. The team will then translate and disseminate findings from phases 1 to 3 to practitioners and practice-related stakeholders to support the reduction of mis-implementation. Discussion This study is innovative and significant because it will (1) be the first to refine and further develop reliable and valid measures of mis-implementation of public health programs; (2) bring together a strong, transdisciplinary team with significant expertise in practice-based research; (3) use agent-based modeling to address cancer control implementation; and (4) use a participatory, evidence-based, stakeholder-driven approach that will identify key leverage points for addressing mis-implementation among state public health programs. This research is expected to provide replicable computational simulation models that can identify leverage points and public health system dynamics to reduce mis-implementation in cancer control and may be of interest to other health areas

Radial shortening following a fracture of the proximal radius: Degree of shortening and short-term outcome in 22 proximal radial fractures

Background and purpose: The Essex-Lopresti lesion is thought to be rare, with a varying degree of disruption to forearm stability probable. We describe the range of radial shortening that occurs following a fracture of the proximal radius, as well as the short-term outcome in these patients. Patients and methods Over an 18-month period, we prospectively assessed all patients with a radiographically confirmed proximal radial fracture. Patients noted to have ipsilateral wrist pain at initial presentation underwent bilateral radiography to determine whether there was disruption of the distal radio-ulnar joint suggestive of an Essex-Lopresti lesion. Outcome was assessed after a mean of 6 (1.5-12) months using clinical and radiographic results, including the Mayo elbow score (MES) and the short musculoskeletal function assessment (SMFA) questionnaire. One patient with a Mason type-I fracture was lost to follow-up after initial presentation. Results 60 patients had ipsilateral wrist pain at the initial assessment of 237 proximal radial fractures. Radial shortening of ≥ 2mm (range: 2-4mm) was seen in 22 patients (mean age 48 (19-79) years, 16 females). The most frequent mechanism of injury was a fall from standing height (10/22). 21 fractures were classified as being Mason type-I or type-II, all of which were managed nonoperatively. One Mason type-III fracture underwent acute radial head replacement. Functional outcome was assessed in 21 patients. We found an excellent or good MES in 18 of the 20 patients with a Mason type-I or type-II injury. Interpretation The incidence of the Essex-Lopresti lesion type is possibly under-reported as there is a spectrum of injuries, and subtle disruptions often go unidentified. A full assessment of all patients with a proximal radial fracture is required in order to identify these injuries, and the index of suspicion is raised as the complexity of the fracture increases.</p